In 2010, the Cal State Stanislaus women’s volleyball team did something they had never done before: notch five straight wins.

It was undoubtedly the high-point for a still-young team, which finished the season with a 13-14 record (10-12 CCAA). But that streak could be a portent for things to come in 2011, according to Coach Christina Lore.

“We hope to build on last year,” Lore said.

The task could be made more difficult by the sheer number of new faces on the team. A full third of the 15 players are new to the Warriors, who graduated three players – one starter – in 2011.

But three of those five new players are JC transfers, making the team more prepared for the season than it may seem.

“We have a lot of returners, and we also have JC transfers, so they have experience,” said team captain Lianne Vicchio, a senior, from Orangevale.

A preseason California Collegiate Athletic Association coaches’ poll slates the Warriors as the 10th best team in the 12-team conference, stacked with powerhouses like reigning NCAA Division II Pacific Region Champion Cal State San Bernardino. But Vicchio sees her team finishing within the top five, and possibly even making it to the promised land – the Pacific Regional Championship.

“We hope to get over .500,” Vicchio said. “I have confidence in the team.”

Through the first week of practice the team has been working hard to make those goals reality. Two-a-day practices – plus weight room hours – are the daily norm.

New player Madison Moss, a transfer from Cypress College, practiced hard in leading her junior college to the best record in school history a year ago, but said the Cal State Stanislaus regimen takes practice to a different level.

“It’s a lot tougher than in JC,” Moss said, “even though it probably shouldn’t be.”

So far, that hard work is paying off, according to Moss, with the team already in good shape for the season opener.

“We look really good so far,” Moss said.

The team will see its first test in a scrimmage against Cal State Stanislaus alumni, scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the Ed and Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena, on the Cal State Stanislaus campus. Three more scrimmages will follow in the week to come, with the annual Otter Tournament in Seaside set for Sept. 9.

Conference play kicks off Sept. 9, in an away game against Humboldt State, with the Warriors home conference opener scheduled against Cal Poly Pomona at 7 p.m. on Sept. 16.

Lore said she hopes the team builds on the strong community support it had last year, filling the stands with crowds of excited spectators.

“Last year we had a great amount of community support,” Lore said. “We look forward to having the community come out again this year.”